Carton



Dec. 1l, 1945. J. A. zlNN, .1Rl

CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invent-0r I WA4 ZM gy .5

Filed Jan. 15, 1942 vnLlCoAMCLLLQ Atto nel] Dec. M, 1945, J. A. zlNN, JR

CARTON 5 Sheebs--Shee'fI 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1942 In Venfor:

CMM Af or'ny Dec. 11, 1945. J. A. zlNN, JR

CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. l5, 1942 113g 8 Inl/enzfor Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a carton and particularly to a liquid dispensing container.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved construction of carton adapted to be closed and sealed in a novel manner to effectively seal the contentsof the container.

With this general object in view, and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the carton hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred emhodiments of the invention, Fig. l is a blank from which the present carton may be formed; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the formed carton'with its top `and bottom ends open; Figs. 3, 4 and 5are perspective views illustrating successive steps in the closing and sealing of the bottom of the carton; Fig. 5A is a cross sectional view through the completed bottom closure; Fig. 6 is a perspective View o-f the carton showing the top or dispensing end thereof partially closed; Fig. 7 is a similar view of the carton shown fully closed; Fig. 8 is a developed view of a blank from which a modified In accordance with the present invention, the blank from which the carton is formed is cut in la manner such as to enable superior end closures to be formed in the assembled carton. In the lillustrated embodiments of the invention, one

Y by arrangement of the overlapping and folded form of carton embodying the present invention may be made; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the modified form of carton shown with both ends open; and Fig. 10 is a, perspective view of the modified carton completely closed and sealed.

In general, the present invention contemplates a carton particularly adapted for use as a liquid dispensing container whose construction is such as to provide an eicient and superior container which may be readily and economically produced by automatic machinery. The container is preferably produced from a moisture proofed and preferably paraffin coated or impregnated cardboard.

The invention, as herein illustrated, is shown as embodied in a rectangular carton of the socalled nesting type, being wider at the top than at the bottom. In practice the carton may be formed from a out out blank of the carton forming material and is preferably wrapped about a forming block of the carton forming machine upon which the side seam and the bottom of the carton are firmly sealed to produce a carton open at the top. The cartons in this condition may be nested together for convenience in shipping and storing, the top closure being made after the carton has been filled with the commodity being packaged. A convenient covered pouring opening may and preferably will be provided in the top closing portion of the container.

portions thereof in a manner such as to provide a substantially uniform thickness of such portions of the end closures in the assembled carton land to provide an eilicient and tightly sealed package. Ordinarily, the interfolded Wing portions of the side flaps would present an undue bulk in the bottom closure to prevent an eicient seal of the subsequently folded end flaps. In order to eliminate such undue bulk and variable thickness of the underlying flaps upon subsequent folding down of the end iiaps with the attached wing portions provision is made for compressing the latter with portions of the underlying flaps which are formed to substantially compensate for the thickness of the wing portions and to permit the extended portions of the end flaps to lie iiat against the underlying iiaps and in efficient sealing engagement therewith. To this end, one of the underlying side aps is provided with a relatively wide side seam to form a double thickness over the major portion thereof but being of a single thickness adjacent the marginal edges where the interposed wing portions Will lie in the assembled carton. With this construction excessive 'bulk is eliminated and possible leakage areas are reduced to a minimum.

The top closures in the illustrated embodiments of the invention ypreferably comprise a bellows fold type of closure in which the end walls of the mouth portion are tucked inwardly and then folded flat to form an elongated closure with the side Walls of the mouth portion. The elongated closure thus formed is preferably closed or covered by a folding flap formed as an extension of one of the side walls of the mouth portion. Such folding flap may be held in assembled relation in any usual or preferred manner such as by adhesive, by stapling, or, as herein shown, by

stitching. One feature of the present invention includes a novel arrangement of a pouring opening in the top closing portion of the carton, in

which the closing tab or covering for such opening is formed from an extension of the side seam of the carton to provide a convenient and economical covering for such opening.

Prior to the present invention, difficulty has been experienced with the bellows fold type of closures due to liability of leakage through the space formed between the inner folded edges of the bellows folds. That is, when the usual closing tab was folded over the multiple thickness presented by the bellows fold, the space between the inner folded edges of the latter was difficult to seal due to the bulk presented by such multiple thickness. In accordance with the present invention provision is made for filling up such space to present a substantially uniform thickness of the elongated closure in the assembled carton. To this end, as illustrated in the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. l to 7, the closing tab is formed of a double thickness at the area corresponding to such open space whereby upon closing of the folding tab and compression thereof, the double thickness of the tab will substantially compensate for and cause such space to be lled up, thus providing an efficient and substantially leakproof closure.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 the invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a so-called nesting type of carton formed from a blank I comprising a body portion I2, a bottom closing portion I4, and a top closing portion I 6. the blank includes a side wall panel I8, end wall panels 20, 22 and panel members 24, 25 arranged to be adhesively joined to form a side wall 26 having a relatively wide side seam as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The bottom closing portion I4 of the blank I0 comprises a side nap member 28, end flap membersj and side flap portions Smanged to be adhesively joined to form a side flap member 36. As herein shown the side flap members 28, 36 are each provided with integral wing portions 38, 40 and 42, 44 respectively, formed from adjacent portions of the end flap members 30, 32 by slits 45 cut in the latter, and crease lines 46 extending from the end of such slits to the intersection of the fold lines in the body portion of the carton. In the bottom closing operation, the integral wing portions are folded in with the side flaps 28, 36 to present the wing portions in sealing engagement with the extended end flaps 30, 32 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The overlapping portions 48 of the wing members are also preferably adhesively joined as illustrated. In practice, the wing portions are filmly pressed into engagement with their respective extended end naps to set the adhesive and to provide a tight seal along the lower edges of the end walls of the carton. Thereafter, the end flap members 30, 32 are folded at against the bottom of the carton as shown in Fig. to complete the bottom closure.

In the operation of folding down and adhesively securing the end flaps 30, 32 it will be seen that the bulk presented by such wing portions would ordinarily interfere with an efcient seal between the end flaps and the underlying surface of the side flap. However, provision is made for compensating for such multiple thickness and to The body portion I2 of l ment with the underlying flaps by forming the latter in a manner such as to permit the wing portions to be compressed into substantially flush relationship to the major portion of the underlying side flaps. As hereinbefore described one of the side flaps, preferably the first folded flap 36, comprises the adhesively joined members 34, which are arranged to overlap to present a double thickness for a major portion of the Width of the side flap 36 and to present but a single thickness of material along the marginal edges beyond the overlapping portions of the flap. Such single thickness areas, as best shown in Fig. 2, and indicated by the numerals 50, 52 correspond to the areas occupied by the wing portions 38, and 42, 44 respectively in the assembled carton, whereby to present a substantially uniform thickness throughout the underlying side flaps and to permit the end flaps to be efficiently sealed thereagainst.

As above stated, the carton is preferably formed by wrapping the blank about a forming block in a carton forming machine, sealing the side seam, and then folding in and adhesively securing the bottom flaps as described while the carton is supported upon the block. In practice, the carton blank is preferably provided with a coating of adhesive' at the areas indicated prior to wrapping the blank about the form. The preferred sequence of closing the bottom aps comprises rst folding in the side flap 36, then folding in the opposing adhesively coated flap 28 to present the carton as illustrated in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the end flaps 30, 32 are folded down as described whereupon substantial pressure is brought to bear against the ilaps and the bottom of the forming block in order to compress and force the wing portions and the underlying flaps into the position indicated in Fig. 5A.

The top closing portion I 6 of the blank I 0, as herein shown, comprises a bellows fold type of top closure, formed by folded extensions of the body portion I2, including a side-wall portion 54, connected end wall portions 56, 58 provided with crease lines 60 for forming bellows folds, and side wall members 62, 63 arranged to be adhesively joined to form the connecting side wall portion in the assembled carton as illustrated in Fig. 2. The side and end wall portions of the top closure are each provided with mouth closing panels 54', 56', 58', 62', and 63 arranged to be folded and brought together to form an upstanding and elongated mouth portion l2 as shown in Fig. 6. Extended tab portions 68, 69. extending from the panel members 62 and 63 respectively are likewise arranged to be adhesively joined to form a folding or covering flap I0 arranged to enclose the elongated mouth portion 12. As herein shown, the underlying side wall portion 63Aof the top closing side seam is provided with a pouring opening 64 arranged to be covered by the adhesive free portion 66 of the overlying or exterior wall portion 62 in the assembled carton.

In the operation of closing the top of the carton the opposed end wall portions 56, 58 are tucked inwardly and at the same time the opposed side wall portions 54, 65 are brought together to form the elongated mouth portion 'I2 having a pleat in each end. As herein shown, the inner folded edges 14, I6 of the pleats do not meet in the middle of the mouth portion thereby leaving a relatively wide space I8 therebetween, equal in thickness to the pleated portions of the bellows folds. It

present the end flaps in eilicient sealing engagewill thus be seen that when the usual single thickness Icovering flap is used, the bulk presented by the bellows folds makes it dimcult to form a tight closure at the spaced portions of the mouth of the carton.

In order to overcome this difficulty and to provide an efficiently sealed closure in a bellows fold type of top closure, the present folding ap 'l0 is arranged to be of double thickness at the point Where the space 'I8 occurs in the top closure. This double thickness, indicated at 80, preferably comprises the overlapping portions of the ap members 68, 69. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the edges 82,

83 of the flap portions 68, 69 respectively, are preferably cut in the blank in the manner shown so that the overlapping or double thickness portion 80 will be of such shape in the assembled carton as to conform to the shape of the space 'I8 in the mouth of the carton. Thus, upon folding over of the flap portion and subjecting the closure to pressure, the underlying portions of the closure will be forced into the space 'I8 and as a result thereof an efcient closure of substantially uniform thickness throughout is provided. The closure thus formed may then be fastened in its closed position by stitching 85 arranged to pass through the folded over portions of the elongated closure as illustrated in Fig. '7.

From the description thus far it will be seen that in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 the longitudinal joining seam is disposed entirely in one side of the carton, rather than being joined at a corner portion in the usual manner. As herein shown, the exterior overlapping edge 86 of the body portion of the side seam is disposed substantially centrally of the side wall 26. At the lower end of the edge 86, the blank is offset as shown to form the relatively wide flap member 34 arranged to make up the double thickness in the major portion of the side flap 36. At the upper end of the edge 86 a slit 88 is provided and an offset 90 comprising the closing tab for the pouring opening 64 is fonmed in the side seam. It will be observed that the slit 88 in the assembled carton occurs adjacent the lower edge of the adhesive free portion 66 whereby to facilitate uncovering of the pouring opening.

From the above description it will be observed that the present carton comprises a rectangular body portion I2 having downwardly tapering side walls I8, 20, 22, 26 and that two opposed walls I8, 26 are provided with rectangular shaped bottom aps of a size such as to cover substantially the entire bottom area of the carton and that such bottom flaps when folded and adhesively secured in overlapping relation form a relatively rigid bottom closure for the carton. It will be further observed that the two remaining side walls 20, 22 are each provided with an intermediate flap 30, 32 each of which are provided with integral sealing tabs or side members 38', 40 and 42, 44 arranged to be folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of their respective intermediate flaps 30, 32, prior to folding down and adhesively securing the latter to the bottom of the side flap 28, as above described, thereby forming a substantially liquid tight closure for the bottom of the carton.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, which illustrate a modified form of the present carton, the invention as therein disclosed is embodied in a similar carton in which the longitudinal joining seam 82 occurs adjacent one corner of the carton. As herein shown, in the modified form of the invention, the pouring opening 95 is provided in an extended portion 86 of the joining member 98 and is arranged to be covered by the adhesive free portion |00 of the side ap |02 in the assembled carton. In the present construction, the adhesive free portion |00 extends out to the edge |04 of the side flap, as shown, thus facilitating uncovering the pouring opening.

The novel bottom closure in the modified embodiment of the invention includes the wing portions |06, |08 formed integrally with the side aps I0, |2 and which are arranged to be folded down and sealed in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, the side ap I0 being of but a single thickness except at the marginal joining edge ||4, as shown.

The top closure shown in Figs. 8 to 10 comprises a bellows fold type of closure arranged to be closed in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the top covering flap I|6 for the elongated mouth portion comprising but a single thickness of carton forming material.

The shape of the blank shown in Fig. 1 and the application of the adhesive in the manner shown, contribute substantially to the rigidity of the entire carton and its particularly reduces to a minimum weaving of the carton.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what isv claimed is:

l. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having four side walls each shaped to taper downwardly, two opposed side walls being provided with rectangular shaped bottom aps folded and adhesively secured together at their contacting interface surfaces in overlapping relation, each such bottom flap being of Substantially the size of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure th'erefor, the two remaining side walls being each provided with an intermediate ap folded upon and adhesively secured at their contacting interface surfaces to the last folded of the aforesaid rectangular shaped bottom flaps, each of such bottom flaps being provided with an integral sealing tap folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of one of said intermediate flaps and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, one of said bottom flaps being of a double thickness throughout the major portion thereof and of but a single thickness at those portions where said sealing tabs overlie the bottom of the carton, whereby to compensate for th'e thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit those portions of the intermediate flaps which extend beyond said sealing tabs to lie at against and form an efficient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom aps.

2. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having a longitudinal side seam and having four side walls each shaped to taper downwardly, two opposed side walls being provided with rectangular shaped bottom flaps folded and adhesively secured together at their contacting interface surfaces in overlapping relation, each such bottom ap being of substantially the size of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure therefor, the two remaining side walls being each' provided with an intermediate ap folded upon and adhesively secured at its contacting interface surface to the last folded of the aforesaid rectangular shaped bottom flaps, each of such bottom aps being provided with an integral sealing tab folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of one of said intermediate flaps and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, one of said bottom flaps being of a double thickness throughout the major portion thereof and of but a single thickness at those portions Where said sealing tabs overlie the bottom of the carton, whereby to compensate for the thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit those portions of the intermediate fiaps which extend beyond said sealing tabs to lie flat against and form an eflicient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom flaps the double thickness of said one bottom flap being formed by overlapping portions of the longitudinal side seam of the carton.

3. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having four walls, two opposed walls being provided with rectangular shaped bottom flaps folded and adhesively secured together in overlapping relation, each such bottom flap being of substantially the size of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure therefor, the two remaining walls being each provided with an intermediate ap integral therewith along a fold line folded upon and adhesively secured to the last folded of the aforesaid lrectangular shaped bottom flaps, each of such bottom flaps being provided with an integral sealing tab at each side thereof folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of one of said intermediate flaps adjacent its respective fold line and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, one of said bottom flaps having at each' side thereof a single thickness area extending inwardly from each side thereof of a distance at least equal to the width of the integral sealing tab and having its remaining portion of a. double thickness, whereby to compensate for the thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit th'ose portions of the intermediate flaps which extend beyond said sealing tabs to lie flat against and form an efcient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom flaps.

4. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having four walls each shaped to taper downwardly, two opposed walls being provided with rectangular sh'aped bottom flaps folded and adhesively secured together in overlapping relation, each such bottom flap being of substantially the side of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure therefor, the two remaining walls being each provided with an intermediate flap integral therewith along a fold line folded upon and adhesively secured to the last folded of the aforesaid rectangular shaped iiaps, each of such bottom flaps being provided with an integral sealing tab at each side thereof folded upon and adhesively secured to th'e inner surface on one of said intermediate flaps adjacent its respective fold line and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, one of said bottom flaps having at each side thereof a single thickness area extending inwardly from each side thereof of a. distance at least equal to the width of th'e integral sealing tab and having its remaining portion of a double thickness, whereby to compensate for the thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit those portions of the intermediate flaps which extend beyond said seal` ing tabs to lie flat against and form an eilicient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom flaps.

5. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having four walls, two opposed walls being provided with rectangular shaped -bottom flaps folded and adhesively secured together throughout their contacting interface surfaces in overlapping relation, each such bottom flap being of substantially the size of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure therefor, the two remaining walls being each provided with an intermediate flap integral therewith along a fold line folded upon and adhesively secured to the last folded of the aforesaid rectangular shaped bottom flaps, each of such bottom flaps being provided with an integral sealing tab at each side thereof folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of one of said intermediate flaps adjacent the respective fold line and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, one of said bottom flaps having at each side thereof a single thickness area extending inwardly from each side thereof of a distance at least equal to the Width of the integral sealing tab and having its remaining portion of a double thickness, whereby to compensate for the thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit those portions of the intermediate flaps which extend Ibeyond said sealing tabs to lie flat against and form an efficient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom flaps.

6. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having four walls, two opposed walls being provided with rectangular shaped bottom flaps folded and adhesively secured together in overlapping relation, each such bottom flap being of substantially the side of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure therefor, the two remaining side walls each being extended undivided for a substantial distance beyond the bottom of the panel itself and then sub-divided for the remainder of its length to form a central flap member and two side members, each of said side members being integral with the adjacent of the aforesaid bottom flaps, said undivided portions of said extension being provided with crease lines extending diagonally from each corner of said panel, the two remaining walls being each provided with an intermediate flap integral therewith along a fold line folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of one of said intermediate flaps adjacent its respective fold line and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, one of said bottom iiaps having at each side thereof a single thickness area extending inwardly from each side thereof of a distance at least equal to the width of the integral sealing tab and having its remaining portion of a double thickness, whereby to compensate for the thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit those portions of the intermediate flaps which extend beyond said sealing tabs to lie flat against and form an efficient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom flaps.

7. A carton comprising a rectangular body portion having four walls, two opposed walls being provided with rectangular shaped bottom flaps folded and adhesively secured together in overlapping relation, each such bottom flap being of substantially the side of the bottom of the carton to form a relatively rigid bottom closure therefor, the two remaining walls being each provided with an intermediate flap integral therewith along a fold line folded upon and adhesively secured to the last folded of the aforesaid rectangular shaped bottom flaps, each of such bottom flaps `being provided with an integral sealing tab at each side thereof folded upon and adhesively secured to the inner surface of one of said intermediate flaps adjacent its respective fold line and forming a double thickness with adjacent portions thereof, said sealing tabs being overlapped at their free end portions and adhesively secured together at their contacting interface surfaces, one of said bottom naps having at each side thereof a single thickness area extending inwardly from each side thereof of a distance at least equal to the width of the integral sealing tab and having its remaining portion of a double thickness, whereby to compensate for the thickness of said sealing tabs and to permit those portions of the intermediate flaps which extend beyond said sealing tabs to lie flat against and form an efficient sealing engagement with the last folded of said bottom flaps.

JULIUS A. ZINN, JR. 

